How to Create a Successful Infographic Resume

You’re looking through applications for an open position at your company. Odds are, you’re looking at somewhere around 74 applications – maybe even more. What would help you screen these applications more quickly and efficiently?

In a poll conducted by Beyond.com, more than 57 percent of HR professionals said that an infographic or visual resume would help them evaluate candidates more quickly. When done well, an infographic resume can set candidates apart from the competition while also showcasing their design, data visualization, and copywriting skills.

Infographic resumes do come with one major caveat, though: They should not be used to replace traditional resumes. The fact is that some companies still prefer traditional resumes, and applicant tracking systems (ATSs) can’t read your resume if it’s an image instead of a text document.

If you’re interested in making an infographic resume, you should use it as a supplementary document alongside your traditional resume. Bring your infographic resume to interviews and meetings, or attach it to emails you’re sending directly to decision makers.

Before including an infographic resume in your application, consider whether a visual document is appropriate for the type of job to which you’re applying. Infographic resumes are great for applying to positions in graphic design, marketing, education, data analytics, and other fields that involve visualizing information.

Take some time to research the potential employer as well. Is this the kind of company that values creativity and taking risks, or does it have more traditional values?

If you’ve decided that an infographic resume is right for your unique career circumstances, then follow these steps to create a great one:

Sara McGuire is a content editor at Venngage infographics. When she isn't writing research-driven articles for a number of business and marketing sites, she enjoys reading graphic novels and writing music reviews.